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Help with final choice of efficient speakers

I have had a lot of good advice before, so I am hoping for some more. I have been looking for about a year for my final set of moderately efficient box speakers. I am afraid I am not a fan of horn speakers.

My current system:
TW Accustic Raveon one/ortofon 309D/Benz Micro L
Resolution Audio Opus 21/GNSC upgraded
Viva Solista 845 SET integrated
Acoustic Zen Adagio
Pure Power APS power regenerator

I listen to most musical Genres, but particularly Classical, Opera, blues and Jazz. I am looking for a musical sound at the expense of some colouration if necessary, rather than an ultra detailed, neutral, HiFi sound.
The Solista puts out only 22 watts, but it happily drives the 89db Adagios. They are excellent speakers, but I am looking for more.
The speakers need to be solid wood or veneer and reasonably compact, to keep my wife happy.

I have listened to
Zingali can't remember model, diasappointing
Art Deco 8/9 signature, very nice indeed, but painted
Guru 10/60, can not fit in with positioning
Coincident Victory, suprisingly disappointing, may have been set up
Tannoy Westminster, too big
Zu definition
Peak Consult Empress, a bit flat and unenvolving
Devore Fidelity Gibbon 9, very good

What I am left with at the moment are Devore Fidelity Gibbon 9's, which I thought were very good indeed. Great imaging, base, a neutral unfatiguing, detailed sound, from a pretty ordinary looking small box. The alternative, which I have'nt heard yet, is a pair of Daedalus Da-rma standmounts or DA 1.1 floorstanders. The top of the line Ulysses are just a bit too big for my room.

I doubt if anyone has compared these speakers, if so, I would like your opinion. If not, the views of anyone who uses either speaker would be good. Thankyou
david12
bobheinatz
712 posts
 
Check out KCS speakers. Talk to John and tell him what you are looking for. He can also build a custom design for your needs.
jazdoc
364 posts
 
David12,

First of all, relax, your choices are well thought out and will compliment the already fine system you've assembled.

I have auditioned the Da-RMa's, Coincident, Zu and DeVore's. They are all excellent. So now it's a question of taste and what how to 'get something' more.

To my ear, the DeVore's are ever so slightly to the polite side of perfect neutrality while the Daedalus are slightly forward. The DeVore's may image slightly better, the Daedalus have a wider and deeper soundstage. These are very small differences and I would be happy with either speaker. BTW, the fit and finish of both speakers is top notch. Both designers (Lou Hinkley and John DeVore) are great guys and in my experience, more than willing to answer your questions. Drop me an email of you would like...

Good luck and don't sweat this decision...the hard part is over. Let us know how things work out.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
David12,

I agree with Jazdoc's impression of the DeVore 9's as being slightly on the polite side of perfect neutrality. And they image very well as do all of the DeVore speakers. But what sets apart the Gibbon 3XL's from ALL other DeVore speakers is their complete departure from politeness. They are a whole new animal in terms of sound for the DeVore line while at the same time retaining DeVore's wonderful imaging qualities. I think you would be astonished at the difference from the 9's. I even prefer the Gibbon 3XL/REL B2 combination over the DeVore Silverbacks, which retail for nearly $17K per pair!
raquel
841 posts
 
I understand you to seek input from people who have experience with the Devore and Daedalus speakers. If you are open to other speakers, you may wish to consider the Escalante Fremonts. They are a true 93 db. efficient - many people run them with 15 to 25 watt/channel tube amps, as they are easy to drive and go really loud with very little power. I owned a pair for a year and traded them to Art Audio, which uses them in the voicing and development of their tube amps (the speaker is aimed squarely at people who own 20-30 watt/channel tube amps). I loved the Fremonts and traded them only because of their aesthetics, which clashed with the new decor of our living room. They're the only speaker I've owned that I truly regret having parted with. Here are two reviews (the reviewer in each case bought the review pair):

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/escalante_fremont.htm

http://www.stereotimes.com/speak042106.shtml
audiokinesis
2,728 posts
 
I'm not sure of the exact models that I've heard, but both Devore and Daedalus speakers have impressed me a great deal. I don't think there's a wrong choice between the two, but smooth and refined as the Devores are, my personal priorities still steer me towards Daedalus. They have excellent dynamic contrast and tonal balance, and although I didn't get to spend a lot of time with them, to my ears they have characteristics consistent with long-term fatigue-free listening - something that I did not expect based on casually eyeballing them.

Duke
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